Meetings set on regional harbor dredging management plan

by jmaloni

Wed, Oct 10th 2012 07:00 am

The
Lake Ontario counties of Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and
Oswego, the town of Greece and the City of Oswego are jointly
undertaking an update and expansion of the regional harbor dredging
management plan, which was completed in 2000. Two public meetings
will be held to review preliminary findings and receive public
feedback.

Oct.
18

7
p.m.

Newfane
Town Hall (Niagara County)

2737
Main St., Newfane (use the north entrance)

Oct.
25

7
p.m.

Sodus
Point Village Hall (Wayne County)

8356
Bay St., Sodus Point

Members
of the project advisory committee and their consultant will present
economic impacts of business activity generated at 20 federal and
non-federal harbors, review their existing conditions and need for
dredging, and outline future steps and tasks for project completion
in 2013. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Safe
navigation through the recreational harbor channels provides access
to public property, fishing resources and many other water-dependent
recreational opportunities. These channels also provide safe harbors
for regional and international tourists.

Federal
funding for maintenance dredging of shallow draft recreational
channels has been severely limited through 2013, leaving some
channels with restricted access. This regional plan will serve as a
blueprint for efficient and sustainable maintenance of the harbors.

This
project is funded in part by an environmental protection fund grant
from the state Department of State.